Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew perform live concert in Sydney CBD; Chifley Plaza - Sydney, Australia; Ipoh Kicks Off Christmas with Jess Mauboy and Justice Crew...

The very popular Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew performed a free concert at Chifley Plaza, Sydney tonight, to the delight of Christmas shoppers and lookers on.

Promo...

Ipoh Kicks Off Christmas with Jess Mauboy and Justice Crew...

Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew will launch an exclusive Christmas shopping event across the Ipoh Group’s premium retail destinations - QVB, The Galeries, Strand Arcade, Chifley Plaza and No. 1 Martin Place – with public performances on Thursday 13 December. The live music kicks off Ipoh’s festive season campaign, counting down the 12 days ‘til Christmas via daily interactive events and prize giveaways.

Jessica Mauboy will take the stage at 6pm on the ground floor at QVB and performances are staggered throughout the night, as customers move from centre to centre to complete their Christmas shopping. Australia’s Got Talent winners Justice Crew perform at 6.30pm at The Galeries ground floor and catch Mauboy live again in Chifley Plaza at 7pm. Finish off the night at the Strand Arcade where trumpeter Paul Wheeler will be playing on level two.

WHAT: Ipoh VIP Shopping Event

WHERE: QVB, The Galeries, Strand Arcade, Chifley Plaza and No. 1 Martin Place

WHEN: Thursday, 13 December 2012, 6:00pm – 9:00pm

6.00pm: Jessica Mauboy, QVB, Ground Floor

6:30pm: Justice Crew, The Galeries, Ground Floor

7:00pm: Jessica Mauboy, Chifley Plaza, Lower Ground Floor

7.30pm: Trumpeter Paul Wheeler, Strand Arcade, Level 2

Customers can embrace the festive spirit with complimentary beverages while they shop as well as indulging in sweet treats courtesy of Haigh’s, Sublime Gelato, The Nut Shop, Sweet Infinity and Bon Bon chocolates.

The Strand Arcade will host a pop-up Galliano cocktail bar amongst dazzling decorations designed by Alex Perry, while The Galeries’ Summer Lounge complete with faux grass, palm trees and flamingos is the perfect hideaway for those wanting to escape the holiday rush. Chifley Plaza’s larger-than-life Citizens of Celebrationinstallation is a must-see with its imaginative characters and modern design.

Other highlights include a roaming quartet of carollers in QVB, alongside the building’s iconic Swarovski Christmas tree and Crystal Garden with Santa and his helpers. Plus gift wrapping on QVB’s level two for a gold coin donation to Barnados.

An abundance of exclusive offers will be available on the night from top retailers including Alannah Hill, Coach, Gorman, Incu, Ralph Lauren, Alex Perry, Farage, Kikki.K, MaxMara, Bristol & Brooks, Manning Cartell and more.

Continuing the spirit of giving, Ipoh is offering over $50,000 worth of extraordinary prizes throughout the 12 day countdown. Spend over $150 in any Ipoh centre to go into the daily draw. All prizes build up to the ultimate present, a $10,000 MasterCard voucher on Christmas Eve.

Customers can also get a helping hand by picking up a free copy of Ipoh’s gift guide magazine with insightful suggestions and personal anecdotes from leading Sydney-siders including Guy Sebastian, Julie Goodwin, Tom Waterhouse, Antonia Kidman, Terry Biviano and Tim Ross.

Reconnecting the city with an authentic Sydney Christmas, this shopping event speaks to the contemporary, stylish and time-poor values of the urban lifestyle. At a time when customers are looking for engagement, expertise and a bit of fun, Ipoh is leading the way in revitalising the retail experience with its captivating take on Christmas.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Jessica Mauboy official website

www.jessicamauboy.com.au

Justice Crew official website

www.justicecrew.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Chanukah: The Festival Of Lights; Sydney, Australia

Hanukkah, Sydney, Australia...

Hanukkah was celebrated in Sydney, Australia, today, with festivities following into the evening.

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and is celebrated December 8-16, 2012. On the Hebrew calendar, the dates are 25 Kislev to 2 Tevet in the year 5773.

Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C.E. during the Maccabean revolt against Greek rulers.

Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a nine-branch menorah. Technically, the it is called a hanukkiah to distinguish itself from the seven-branch menorah used in the Temple.

The story of Hanukkah is one of miracles and of revolution. Antiochus, the Greek ruler, forbade Jewish religious practice, so a small group of Jews, the Maccabees, revolted. These Jews, in course, prevailed and restored the Holy Temple, which had been desecrated. The menorah in the Temple needed to be re-lit because, according to tradition, it should burn continuously. The Temple liberators found one vial of olive oil, enough for one day of light. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.

Jews now light menorahs on each night of Hanukkah. Traditionally, one candle or flame is lit for each night until the eighth night, when all eight lights shine together. The menorah has a ninth "helper" flame -- known as the shamash -- used to light the other candles. This is necessary because in Jewish law the Hanukkah lights' only purpose is to visually proclaim the miracle of the holiday. Jews place the lit menorah in a prominent window in order to fulfil this commandment.

A common practice on Hanukkah, is gift giving on each night, and it is therefore a wondrous time for Jewish children. Fried potato pancakes (latkes) and doughnuts (sufganiyot) are traditional fare, and a spinning top (dreidel) with four Hebrew letters -- nun, gimel, hei, shin -- form an acronym for the message of Hanukkah: A great miracle happened there.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Chabad Youth NSW

www.cyn.org.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Johnny Ruffo launches JR Watches at Jay Jays, Sydney

Australian performing artist Johnny Ruffo launches JR Watches at Jay Jays, Sydney, Australia...

The ultra popular Johnny Ruffo launched his own watch line at Jay Jay's in the Pitt St, Sydney store earlier tonight.

Ruffo is best known for his appearances on television programs such as The X Factor, Dancing With The Stars and Home and Away.

Georgia Sinclair provided some in-store entertainment, to keep shoppers entertained at 'Glasshouse', while they waited to meet and take photos with Mr Ruffo.

Ruffo apparently has a good business head on his shoulders, and has taken the Hollywood path of getting businesses up and running which compliment his showbiz career. Not just a pretty face or body, by any estimation.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Johnny Ruffo official website

www.johnnyruffo.com

Jay Jay's

www.jayjays.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Kane Hibberd To Release Book Of Soundwave Photography

Take an Access All Area’s trip though the archives of official Soundwave photographer Kane Hibberd’s debut photography book, ‘Kanye Lens Vs Soundwave Volume 1’

Since the festival went national in 2008, Kane (aka Kanye Lens) has been on hand to capture every banging head, sweaty riff and thrashing body, that has ensured that each festival has been bigger and better than the one before.

His first book, which Kane is self funding and independently publishing, is spread over 450 pages and contains more than 600 colour and black and white images of all the action both on and off stage.  Including personal commentary on his imagery from artists and crew, the book aims to give a holistic picture to a festival that is now firmly entrenched into the hearts and memories of music fans.

“From the moment I was asked to jump on board the Soundwave machine, my goal was to, one day, produce a coffee table style photography book.  I grew up watching Tony Mott create a legacy with the Big Day Out and now this is hopefully the start of my own legacy.  I’ve tried to create book full of imagery that can escape the shadow of its famous inhabitants and stand alone as beautiful pieces of artwork.  Hopefully the book will appeal to not only music fans, but also fans of photography.” – Kane Hibberd (Kanye Lens)

A must for collectors, the first 2000 copies of the book will be individually numbered by Kane and are  now available for pre-order from www.kanyelens.com, shipping February 2013.  Visit the webstore to see the range of pre order options, which include prints from selected artists.

Kanye Lens Vs Soundwave Volume 1 – out Feb 2013

Pre orders available now from www.kanyelens.com